Grand slam for Jonathan Roberts

FORT WASHINGTON, Md. — Jonathan Roberts extended his lead atop the Rosecroft Raceway driving table with four wins on the Thursday (April 2) program at the Capital Region harness racing venue, highlighted by a 1:53.2 win aboard Little Instigator in the co-featured $8,500 upper-level distaff pace.

Roberts launched a first-over bid with Little Instigator (Heston Blue Chip) on the clubhouse turn, overpowered 2-1 favorite Go Now up the backstretch, and evaded a late rally from 58-1 outsider Best Movie Ever to win by a widening 2-1/2 lengths for trainer Michael Hall and owners William and Sarah MacMillan. As the 4-1 third choice, Little Instigator paid $10 to win.

LITTLE INSTAGATOR REPLAY

Roberts and Hall also teamed up to win a $6,500 conditioned pace with Wrinklesschminkles (1:58, $4.40). Roberts’ other wins came with Dan The Man (1:57.4, $5.80), for his father, trainer William “Bib” Roberts; and 22-1 long shot Auntmilly’smartini (1:53.2, $47.40), for trainer Brittany Bounds.

Twenty days into the 33-day winter-spring stand at Rosecroft, Roberts has amassed 42 wins. Roger Plante Jr. is second, with 27; Russell Foster is third, with 24, while splitting his time between Rosecroft and the Delaware circuit. Frank Milby and William Carter round out the top five, with 20 and 19 wins, respectively.

Live harness racing returns to Rosecroft on Monday (April 6); first post is 7:15 p.m. (EST). For more information, including free past performance pages, the Players’ Guide tip sheet, and live and archived video, visit www.rosecroft.com.

For complete race results, click here: US Trotting results.

From Rosecroft Raceway